The C+Golf team recently went west, in search of quality golf and fine Pinot Noir. Within an hour's drive of the airport at Portland, Oregon, they weren't disappointed...

 

Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, 12930 NW Old Pumpkin Ridge Road, North Plains, OR 97133-6147

Tel: +1 503 647 2500  www.pumpkinridge.com

 

Course review: Witch Hollow   (Cupp, 1992)   ΩΩΩΩ   *  $$$$ (playable by advance arrangement with the club or a member)

The scene of Tiger Woods’ US Amateur victory and many professional events in its short history, and all the better for in maturity, this is a beautiful, rustic, peaceful and generally tree-lined layout, with a remarkably natural feel for a modern US course. Out and back over gently undulating ground, embracing some environmentally sensitive wetlands, Cupp displays clarity of design with quality bunkering (occasionally corner of dogleg/mid-fairway to encourage ‘heroic’ play), and generally small, raised undulating greens (some more deceptively subtle than others – yes, a couple of inches off line is still a miss!), all approached from gently sloping, sometimes dog-legged fairways. Some greens are wider and shallower, protected by a trademark Cupp front bunker. Occasional streams and water only add to the test. The local climate and conditioning result in minimal roll, so the course plays all of its length. Abundant wildlife, and trees well-positioned for aesthetics as well as play, make it as pleasurable for golf, as it is challenging to conquer. Mastering the memorable batch of par 3s and a couple of reachable par 5s can prove pivotal.

 

Course tour and evaluation - photos from www.photogolf.eu

Hole 1 401 yds  Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 2 171 yds  Par 3 Design rating: green

Hole 3 414 yds Par 4  Hole design rating: green

Hole 4 533 yds Par 5 Design rating: green

Hole 5 211 yds Par 3 Design rating: green

Hole 6 453 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 7  623 yds Par 5 Design rating: green

Hole 8 382 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 9 467 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Out 3655 yds Par 36

Hole 10 212 yds Par 3 Design rating: green

Hole 11 553 yds Par 5 Design rating: green

Hole 12 143 yds Par 3 Design rating: green

Hole 13 410 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 14 470 yds Par 5 Design rating: green

Hole 15 175 yds Par 3 Design rating: green

Hole 16 432 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 17 422 yds Par 4 Design rating: green

Hole 18 545 yds Par 5 Design rating: green

In 3362 yds Par 36

Total 7017 yds Par 72

 

Course review: Ghost Greek  (Cupp, 1992)  ΩΩΩΩ   Î    $$$

In places more elevated than its bewitching sister, another beautiful, peaceful and generally tree-lined layout over rolling ground, often with streams and (at the challenging finish to each 9 hole loop) lakes coming into play. This is at least as testing a course as Witch Hollow, and again success at another strong-ish hand of par 3s (some with huge greens, another with quite the opposite) and sensible capitalization on the short pars 5 and 4 10^th and 17^th can make all the difference. Approach shots to greens, exposed in the relatively open area near to the clubhouse, will suit wind specialists, and all putting surfaces (some raised) will require careful attention: they are definitely not flat, occasionally feature ridges and/or run-offs, vary significantly in size and are often defended by sand. Distant views of the coastal range add to the drama, especially on the back 9.

Course evaluation

     Hole          Yds       Par

1	447	4
2	414	4
3	184	3
4	533	5
5	218	3
6	371	4
7	431	4
8	573	5
9	469	4
Out	3640	36
10	492	5
11	180	3
12	444	4
13	381	4
14	234	3
15	552	5
16	133	3
17	329	4
18	454	4
Back	3199	35
Total	6839	71

Each of the two courses has its own clubhouse: Witch Hollow, a private members' club has a more exclusive atmosphere, but both produce a product representing quality for their purpose.

 

And the Pinot Noir?

    

Oregon has become renowned for its bounty of Pinot Noir vineyards, especially  Our pick of the bunch was Archery Summit, overlooking the small town of Dundee, some 20 miles south west of Portland. This region, whose cool climate is a natural for this tricky grape, owes much of its quality to the fact that the higher elevations of the Red Hills of Dundee contain volcanic soil, which has proven to be ideal for cultivation of Pinot Noir vineyards. For a larger selection of wines, try also Argyle Winery in Dundee.

www.archerysummit.com    www.argylewinery.com    For a full list, go to http://oregonpinotnoirwine.com

Our thanks to all who welcomed us to Oregon and for their generous and convivial hospitality - the foundation of our visit to this under-rated State of the Union. For garden lovers, as well as golfers and wine enthusiasts, this is a place not to be missed...

See seductive Lake Como and its golfing gem...